By Alan Hutton

7th Sep, 2022 | 12:00pm

Premier League told to look abroad by Hutton after twist in Newcastle United controversy

Alan Hutton has claimed ex-players “will never” be used to assist VAR officials despite the fact it would have helped Newcastle United against Crystal Palace on Saturday (3 September).

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Tottenham and Aston Villa right back said the Premier League is lagging behind other parts of the world in their use of VAR.

The Magpies thought they had gone 1-0 up in the game against Palace after defender Tyrick Mitchell turned the ball into his own net.

The goal was ruled out after referee Michael Salisbury was instructed to consult the pitchside monitor by VAR official Lee Mason.

Newcastle midfielder Joe Willock was deemed to have pushed into Palace keeper Vicente Guaita before the goal, but the contact appeared to be caused by a shove from Mitchell on Willock.

As reported by the Daily Mail (6 September), Lee Mason has been dropped from VAR duties this weekend following his role in the controversial decision.

When asked if introducing ex-pros to VAR would be beneficial, Hutton told Football Insider: “I think it could help because ex-professionals have played the game, they know what it’s all about, they can maybe see different things that refs won’t.

“It’ll never happen in my opinion. I don’t think we’ll ever see ex-pros in the VAR room at all. I just don’t see it happening but I do believe it would help, even if it’s only one per cent, it’s still going to be better.

“We are behind different countries in terms of using VAR. I know it’s relatively new but I think we should be better at it, it shouldn’t be taking it so long and refs should get all the angles so they can make the right decision.“

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